How about this for an idea for a change in the bidding/rostering system.
Rather than cap the number of trips people do - why not 'flag' those trips that are particularly unpopular. Currently JNB and BOM for example.
If everyone was required to do one of these trips (similar to reserve) - you'd only be seeing them on your roster once every 3 or 4 bid periods. No great hard ship for anyone. It would give juniors a much wider choice of trips - share out the unpopular duties and still not really limit the senior crew from doing whatever they want for the rest of the time.
The incentive for the company could be - if you go sick on one - you get it back, pre-allocated in the next bid period. Would cut sick leave hugely and hence also be of benefit to the company.
Just a thought.......